FUNDING ADVICE: Experts are offering Bexley's voluntary and community groups advice and help on how to bid for funding outside the borough. A workshop, organised by the council's Areas of Opportunity programme, is being held on March 17 at the civic offices in Bexleyheath Broadway, from 9.30am to 2pm. For details, call Steven Burgess on 020 8294 6802.

RITZY PARTY: Places are available for people who want to mark the Queen's 80th birthday with a late tea and champagne at the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly. A coach leaves from Dartford Library in Market Street at 5.30pm on April 23 and from the civic offices in Bexleyheath Broadway at 6pm. Tickets cost £35.50 excluding coach fare. Call 01322 551550.

MEET POLICE: People living in Erith ward's Community Safety Action Zone can meet their Safer Neighbourhoods policing team at a street meeting on March 14 outisde their new community office at 70 Galleons Close, off West Street, Erith, at 7pm, to talk about any policing problems they have.

BARGAIN HUNT: Crayford Methodist Church in Crayford High Street is holding a book and bric-a-brac sale between 10am and noon on March 18. Everything not sold will be sent for recycling so no offer will be refused.

FLAT PLANS: Plans to build two blocks of flats on the site of the Shell petrol station, Lower Road, Belvedere, have been lodged with Bexley Council. They include 29 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom flats.